- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Criminal Justice Act 2003
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
Changes to legislation:
Criminal Justice Act 2003, Section 244ZC is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 23 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 244ZC:
- specified provision(s) amendment to earlier commencing SI 2012/2574, Sch. by S.I. 2012/2761 art. 2
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 256AZBA-256AZBC and cross-heading inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 62(1)
- s. 256AZBC(1) power to amend or apply conferred by 2012 c.10, s. 128(3A) (as inserted) by 2024 c. 21 s. 60(3)
- s. 150(aa) inserted by 2012 c. 10 Sch. 26 para. 19(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 26 para. 19 omitted (11.12.2013) by virtue of 2013 c. 22, Sch. 16 para. 23(2); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(d))
- s. 150(ba) inserted by 2012 c. 10 Sch. 26 para. 19(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 26 para. 19 omitted (11.12.2013) by virtue of 2013 c. 22, Sch. 16 para. 23(2); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(d))
- s. 151(A1) inserted by 2008 c. 4 s. 11(3)
- s. 151(1A) inserted by 2008 c. 4 s. 11(5)
- s. 151(1A)(b) word substituted by 2008 c. 4 Sch. 4 para. 76(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 151(1A) is still only prospectively inserted by 2008 c. 4, s. 11(5))
- s. 151(1A)(c) substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 151(1A) is still only prospectively inserted by 2008 c. 4, s. 11(5))
- s. 151(2A)(b) substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(4)
- s. 151(4A) inserted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(5)
- s. 151(8)(a) words substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(a)
- s. 151(8)(b) words inserted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(b)(i)
- s. 151(8)(b) words substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(b)(ii)
- s. 151(8)(c)-(f) inserted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(c)
- s. 165(5) inserted by 2014 c. 12 s. 179(3)
- s. 237(1A) inserted by 2006 c. 48 s. 34(3)
- s. 237(1B)(f)(g) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 40(b)
- s. 237A 237B inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(2)
- s. 237A power to amend conferred by 2012 c.10, s. 128(3)(aaza) (as inserted) by 2024 c. 21 s. 60(2)(b)
- s. 239A inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 8(1)
- s. 239A cross-heading inserted by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 5
- s. 250(5C) inserted by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 7(4)
- s. 250(5D) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 64(3)
- s. 255A(4A) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(2)
- s. 255B(3A) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(3)(b)
- s. 255B(3A) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(5)
- s. 255B(4A)-(4C) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(3)(d)
- s. 255C(3A) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(4)(b)
- s. 255C(3A) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(6)
- s. 255C(4A)-(4C) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(4)(d)
- s. 256A(1)-(1B) substituted for s. 256A(1) by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(6)(a)
- s. 256A(4A)(4B) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(6)(f)
- s. 256A(5)(6) substituted for s. 256A(5) by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(6)(g)
- s. 256AZA inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 10(1)
- s. 256AZB(3) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(7)
- s. 257(3) inserted by 2006 c. 48 s. 34(4)
- s. 258(1A) inserted by 2006 c. 48 s. 34(5)
- s. 260(4)(aa) substituted for word by 2008 c. 4 s. 34(7)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 34(2)(4)(b)(7)(10) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of 2012 c. 10, s. 118(4)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d))
- s. 268A inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 70
- s. 327(4A)(ca) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 65
- Sch. 15B para. 49A omitted by S.I. 2019/780 reg. 26(4)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 21, 25, 26, 27, 30 revoked (1.12.2020) by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 28; S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)
- Sch. 15B para. 49B omitted by S.I. 2019/780 reg. 26(4)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 21, 25, 26, 27, 30 revoked (1.12.2020) by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 28; S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)
- Sch. 18B inserted by 2024 c. 21 Sch. 2
- Sch. 19 para. 2(2)(e) and word inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 74(3)(b)
- Sch. 19 para. 2(2A) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 74(4)
- Sch. 20B para. 34(6)(7) substituted for Sch. 20B para. 34(6) by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 10
[F1244ZCProceedings following reference under section 244ZBE+W
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
(1)This section applies to a prisoner whose case has been referred to the Parole Board under section 244ZB.
(2)If, in disposing of that reference or any subsequent reference of the prisoner’s case to the Board under this subsection, the Board does not direct the prisoner’s release, it is the duty of the Secretary of State to refer the prisoner’s case to the Board again no later than the first anniversary of the disposal.
(3)It is the duty of the Secretary of State to release the prisoner on licence as soon as—
(a)the prisoner has served the requisite custodial period, and
(b)the Board has directed the release of the prisoner under this section.
(4)The Board must not give a direction under subsection (3) in disposing of the reference under section 244ZB unless the Board is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should be confined.
(5)The Board must not subsequently give a direction under subsection (3) unless—
(a)the Secretary of State has referred the prisoner’s case to the Board under subsection (2), and
(b)the Board is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should be confined.
(6)For the purposes of this section, the “requisite custodial period” means the period ending with the day on which the prisoner would have become entitled as mentioned in section 244ZB(1)(a).]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 244ZB, 244ZC inserted (28.4.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 132(4), 208(4)(p)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThe Whole Chapter
PrintThe Whole Cross Heading
PrintThis Section only
You have chosen to open The Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Part
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Part as a PDF
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open Schedules only
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
Explanatory Notes
Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.